Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban dabbled in broadcasting, but never had much time. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Saban will join the longtime college football program as an analyst, where he will do most of his work. However, Saban will also appear during the annual NFL Draft and SEC Media Days.
Former Alabama HC Nick Saban, one of the most accomplished and decorated coaches in college football history, is joining ESPN. Saban will work primarily as an analyst on the set of College GameDay, but also will appear on the NFL Draft and SEC Media Days coverage. pic.twitter.com/DCqSCiZ7ti
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2024
Saban has appeared as a guest on College GameDay in the past and most recently appeared regularly on the network’s Pat McAfee show every Thursday. Saban, who stepped down as Alabama Crimson Tide coach last month after 17 seasons, is ready to start his tryst with the media.
Saban, one of the winningest coaches in college football history with seven national championships and an astute observer of the game with penchant for analysis that is easy to understand for viewers. His signature style makes him an ideal fit for ESPN in the long-term.
“ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I am honored to have the opportunity to join their team,”
Saban said in a statement.
In his 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide, Saban won 201 games, tied with Vince Dooley (Georgia) for second most by a single school in SEC history, behind only Bear Bryant, who won 232 games in his 25 seasons.
In his 28 years as a college head coach — a career that included seven national titles, 12 conference championships (11 SEC, 1 MAC) and 19 bowl game victories — Saban never had a losing season. He spent two years in the NFL coaching the Miami Dolphins before returning to college football to revive one of its powerhouse programs that hadn’t won a national title in 15 years.
He led Toledo to the 1990 MAC Championship, his only season as the program’s coach. He then worked as Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns for four seasons before becoming the first Michigan State coach to lead his first three teams to bowl games and leading LSU to the 2003 national title.
The former Alabama head coach is set to join ESPN on the back of his Crimson Tide exit, with Walt Disney having announced as much this Wednesday. Saban will work as an analyst on ‘College GameDay’ but will also assist with NFL Draft coverage and appear on SEC Media Days via ESPN’s platforms, which includes the SEC Network.
“ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join their team,”
Saban said.
He will join the likes of Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Kirk Herstreit, Desmond Howard, and Pat McAfee on the popular college football show which also boasts Pete Thamel, Jen Lada, Jess Sims, and “Stanford Steve” Coughlin.
Nick Saban joins ESPN as a @CollegeGameDay analyst
Alongside host Rece Davis & analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard & Pat McAfee at the desk
The 7x National Champion head coach will also appear on NFL Draft & SEC Media Days coverage
🔗 https://t.co/MtFTWpsCsO pic.twitter.com/bYC6nG8gnq
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 7, 2024
Saban resigned in January after 17 years with the Crimson Tide, 28 years as a college head coach and more than 50 years in football as Alabama’s head coach. The 72-year-old appears on ESPN’s College GameDay programs every weekend alongside Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee.
He also served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins for two years in between stints at LSU and Alabama. College GameDay has become a staple of college football coverage, broadcast on campuses across the country for 30 years.
Saban will first serve as an on-set analyst for College GameDay, ESPN’s weekly college football road show produced by The Home Depot (season and postseason editions). Saban will also contribute to ESPN’s multi-day coverage of the NFL Draft that will air in conjunction with SEC Media Days on ESPN platforms, including the SEC Network.
In 28 years as a college coach, Saban’s record of success is legendary. He won six of seven national championships at Alabama (one at LSU) 292-71-1 record as head coach, won 12 conference championships and 19 bowl games. In addition to his time at Alabama I in addition to the past 17 years (since 2007), Saban has served as head coach at LSU (2000-04), Michigan State (1995-99) and Toledo (1990).
ESPN College GameDay Presented by The Home Depot has reached 2023, celebrating its 30th season (37th overall) and becoming the show’s second-highest season since the 2011 season, the fourth fastest season in history.
When Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching the University of Alabama football team in January, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he joined a major network and started advertising.
The 72-year-old led the Crimson Tide to nine SEC championships and won its first national title in 2009 at Alabama during a 14-0 season. He also won SEC championships as LSU’s coach in 2001 and 2003. He won a national championship with the Tigers.
“Nick Saban is a unique and iconic figure in college football,”
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.
“He is also an accomplished communicator who will add credibility, authority and entertainment value to ESPN, including our college GameDay program.”
The former Alabama football quarterback has decided to retire after the 2023 season, ending a coaching career that saw him lead the Crimson Tide to seven national championships over 17 years and purpose.
For Alabama, the program wasted no time, filling the void left by Saban and naming Kalen DeBoer to replace the longtime head coach who led the program.
DeBoer was responsible for helping Washington win the Pac-12 title and advance to the national tournament this season.
At times, Saban’s health was a factor in his decision not to join the Alabama program. Nick Saban dismissed speculation that family or health issues were the reason for his decision to retire.
Saban, who retired from the Crimson Tide in January after 17 years, has been featured on “College GameDay” for years and now joins a team that includes Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee.
Saban’s relationship with ESPN goes back several years, when he was interviewed by McAfee and others on the show. In fact, Saban’s first in-depth interview since retiring last month was with Davis on ESPN.
During his 28-year coaching career, Saban won seven national championships, six at Alabama and one at LSU. His overall record as a head coach is 292-71-1, including 12 division titles and 19 bowl games. ESPN announced on Wednesday the hiring of former Alabama coach Nick Saban as head football coach.
“ESPN and College GameDay have played an important role in the growth of college football, and I am honored to have the opportunity to join their team,”
Saban said in a release.
“I will do my best to provide as much insight as possible.”
and provide valuable insights to the team.
Throw in College GameDay, the Saturday tradition for college football fans. His teams won a record seven national championships, six with the Crimson Tide.
Saban’s debut will be announced at a later date.
Fans reacted as follows:
Saban on College GameDay every week pic.twitter.com/pf0jGLkHj8
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) February 7, 2024
Saban and Belichick showing up in Bristol to negotiate ESPN contracts together pic.twitter.com/pVKF64ahT7
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 7, 2024
Paul Finebaum learning he's no longer Mr. SEC at the networkpic.twitter.com/5E72zVUXSL
— BetRivers Sportsbook (@BetRivers) February 7, 2024
Is Saban ever going to return to coaching?pic.twitter.com/bod6OGVEx8
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) February 7, 2024
Saban walking on the College Gameday set: pic.twitter.com/a6wuK8l3PF
— John (@JohnMUFC18) February 7, 2024
Nick Saban breaking down matchups on College Gameday pic.twitter.com/LNxOTmHi8W
— betway (@betwayusa) February 7, 2024
This is such a big W, him and Pat on game day will be amazing
— mehrma (@mehrmaa__) February 7, 2024
So this is just saying NIL and the negatives of it are the reason he left coaching
— Keyed In Wins (@KeyedInWins) February 7, 2024
College GameDay just got even BETTER! 🔥
— The Athletes Plug (@TheAthletesPlug) February 7, 2024
He will be amazing at this!
— Mark A.Kern II (@Markkern111) February 7, 2024
Nick Saban X Bill Belichick is going to be great.
Prediction:
Belichick will take a year off coaching and join a media organization; after a year off of coaching he will be right back to it. pic.twitter.com/jRABFSkeXT
— New England Sports Review (@nesportreview) February 7, 2024
I think everyone saw this coming but it’s still exciting!
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) February 7, 2024
ESPN pitching Nick Saban this job pic.twitter.com/cXDPsyYl7v
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 7, 2024
Glad he’s staying around the game!
— Next Pro Scouting (@NextProScouts) February 7, 2024
Very excited for this. The 🐐 will be a great addition to Gameday
— Penn State FB Thoughts (@PSU_FB_Thoughts) February 7, 2024
Sorry Bama fans. Coach Saban belongs to the people now.
— J F Clark (@jfclarkauthor) February 7, 2024
Ready for the announcement of Lee Corso retiring and Nick Saban joining @CollegeGameDay full-time pic.twitter.com/xsbKxWEDbF
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) January 11, 2024
👇Nick Saban👇 https://t.co/Bo4u3v0gpK
— Pure Athlete (@pureathleteinc) February 7, 2024
Gross!!!!🤮 We are tried of him!!! No, Please Retire!!!! Bad idea!!!!🤮
— A L Magleby,❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻 (@AMagleby) February 7, 2024
dont look now, but, ESPN Gameday will soon have a 'starting eleven' of their own. Telecast will have to go to FIVE HOURS to accommodate all the egos within…does it really take 3 hours and 6 guys on stage to mansplain a sport where the actual 'playtime' is about 18 minutes?
— Jose Merced (@josemerced) February 7, 2024
I quit watching years ago, bc Howard is sooo bad and it's been tough watching Coach Corso struggle. Adding McAfee make sure that I'll continue to not watch.
— Leader of the Garage People (@osuphil95) February 7, 2024
This very good program will be even better simply by Saban’s presence & preparation … others will have to raise their preparation to stay up with him. Saban makes others better!
— Matthew Bomersbach (@mbomer9) February 7, 2024
